PHOTOGRAPHY ©Chris Yates Media
London Fashion Week opened this season with something refreshingly different: no glossy designer logos, no theatrics of exclusivity, but a fully shoppable celebration of second-hand fashion, courtesy of Oxfam and Vinted. Their collaborative runway show, Style for Change, kicked off fashion week with a burst of colour, personality, and unapologetic optimism – a bold moment not just for circular fashion, but for the future of the industry itself.
The show, which took place on Thursday 18th September as part of Oxfam’s ongoing Second Hand September campaign, was styled by none other than Bay Garnett, the high priestess of pre-loved fashion. Models including Katie Piper, Sam Ryder, Munroe Bergdorf, and twins Brett and Scott Staniland took to the catwalk in curated vintage looks, all of which were immediately available to purchase via Oxfam’s new online wardrobe on the Vinted app. The energy in the room was undeniable. There were loud cheers, spontaneous applause, and a kind of joyful defiance hanging in the air. This wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about storytelling, individuality, and proving that second-hand fashion isn’t just the ethical choice – it’s the exciting one.
Garnett, who has been championing thrifting long before it was a hashtag, explained her approach backstage: “I try to celebrate different characters from different eras. I don’t just want to go all-out ’80s or something like that. I want to approach it in a celebratory way, not too serious.” Taking inspiration from style “through the decades,” celebrating iconic looks from different eras, this approach translated into looks ranging from glam rock to ’90s rave, and Y2K nostalgia to minimalist tailoring. While some outfits felt far from contemporary, the models’ exuberant energy and high-low ethos carried the showcase. The critique, if any, is that the show favoured eclecticism over cohesion. But then again, maybe that’s the point.
“Second-hand is for everyone,” Garnett said. “This speaks to all generations.” She should know; her own top Vinted find is a ‘70s suede YSL bag, with a red and yellow logo that screams vintage luxury.
What elevates this collaboration is its dual mission: to make second-hand fashion aspirational, and to support Oxfam’s broader work fighting poverty and inequality. “At Oxfam we believe that what we wear has power. It says something about what we stand for and the world we want to live in,” said Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, “All the looks from the show will be sold on Oxfam’s Vinted wardrobe, helping to raise vital funds to help tackle poverty and inequality around the world.” With resale platforms like eBay also carving out space at fashion week – notably through their Endless Runway showcase – it’s clear the sustainability conversation has finally earned a seat on the front row. But where eBay brought polish, Oxfam and Vinted brought purpose.
Now in its fifth year, Second Hand September is no longer niche, reflecting a shift in how the UK thinks about shopping, sustainability, and self-expression. If this show is any indication, second-hand isn’t just having a moment; it’s building a movement. And in a world still addicted to fast fashion, that’s something worth celebrating.
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